The Carnivore Conservation Group (CCG) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust is at present conducting a carnivore survey in Limpopo.

The focus is primarily on the wild dog Lycaon pictus, with the cheetah Acinonyx jubatus being a second priority.

“The wild dog is endangered, but does occur in small numbers outside protected areas, and in South Africa there were estimated to be about 75 free-roamers before 2002. We are also interested in brief information on the occurrence of other large carnivores (i.e. lion, leopard, spotted and brown hyena),” says Mr John Power, wild dog project co-ordinator of the CCG of the Endangered Wildlife Trust at the De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve.

Power says they would greatly appreciate it if members of the public could take the time to go through the following questions and e-mail the information to them.

Question 1: In the last 6 years, how often have you seen the wild dog on your property and what group size do you remember seeing? How many adults and youngsters? Did you get photographs of them?

Question 2: When last did you see cheetahs and what were they - male, female, cubs? Do you see them regularly? Question 3: Have you got lion, leopard, spotted and brown hyena on your property (yes/no)?

“Please remember to provide your farm name and a geographic description of where ex-actly you are located (i.e. 20k north of Musina),” asked Power.

For more information, phone Power at Tel 071 259 1191 or send an e-mail to [email protected]